Sunday, February 28, 2010

Andrew Bynum & Shannon Brown Signings

Lakers center Andrew Bynum made an appearance at a Discount Tire Center in Santa Monica to sign autographs. The autograph signing was free of charge. Wristbands were given out to the first 200 fans. I arrived very early to get a wristband and waited for hours until the signing started. Andrew arrived on time and started signing right away. Discount Tire Center staff were only allowing one item per person.

The line moved pretty fast and had I got a full size basketball signed. After getting my autograph from Andrew I then headed over to Albertsons on Crenshaw for a Shannon Brown signing. The Albertsons store was about ten minutes away. I seen it as a little pit stop before heading home.

Shannon Brown signing.

I arrived at the Shannon Brown signing thinking that it was completely free. After talking to Albertsons staff I was informed that a purchase was necessary. The autograph was free with a purchase of a tea box. The tea box was $5.99. I guess you can say the autograph was free. $5.99 for an autograph is not much. 8x10 photos were also being given out to people who didn't have items. The photo alone covered my tea cost.

The signing for Shannon Brown was scheduled from 3:00-5:00 pm. Shannon arrived at almost 5:00 pm. Nobody really cared that he was late. We were just happy he showed up. The line moved fast after Shannon started signing since all he does is initial his signature. I was trying to take more pictures but the security guards at the front were jerks. They were treating Shannon as if he were the president of the United States.


Video of the Andrew Bynum signing.



Video of the Shannon Brown signing.



Thanks to Discount Tire Centers, Sereni Tea and Albertsons for hosting these events.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Upper Deck Retail Anniversary

Upper Deck Retail in Huntington Beach will have its second anniversary this month. For the grand opening events Upper Deck hosted signings with Luke Walton and Steve Garvey. Both signings were free of charge and included Upper Deck Authentication. The appearances were scheduled on consecutive days. Luke Walton appeared the first day and Steve Garvey appeared the day after. I only attended the Steve Garvey signing.

I have not been to the Upper Deck store since the grand opening event. They host many autograph signings but charge a fee per autograph. I do plan on going back on March 6, for NBA Hall of Famer and Lakers legend Elgin Baylor. I figure if I pay, it's going to be for a Hall of Famer. I also did not make it to his last signing in Cerritos last year.

A new promoter is now working with Upper Deck. They were having many complaints about the previous promoter. Hopefully it's a change for the better. The photo at the top of the post is one I took of Steve Garvey at the grand opening event. I like attending his signings. All have been good experiences with no complaints.

Steve Garvey in Rancho Cucamonga


Steve Garvey in Moreno Valley


Thanks for reading.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Joe Saunders Autograph Signing

Anaheim Angels pitcher Joe Saunders made an appearance at Frank & Sons to sign autographs. This was not a free signing. It was only the second autograph I had ever paid for. The other being Pete Rose in Las Vegas. I did not mind paying the $29.00 fee since I was going to Frank & sons to pick up supplies anyways. I also did not have to arrive very early which is typical at a free signing.

When I got in line there was only one person in front of me. That's the advantage of paying for an autograph. You don't have to camp out. Joe signed my Angels mini helmet that already had signatures of current Angels. After he signed my mini helmet I asked him for a quick photo.

Video of the signing.



Thanks to Joe Saunders for making this appearance.